Lancashire ‘no fracking’ protests stepped up

PROTESTERS have stepped up a campaign to prevent ‘fracking’ for shale gas in Lancashire, after a parliamentary committee said developing the controversial technique should be an ‘urgent national priority’.

The newly-established East Lancashire Against Fracking group staged a demonstration in the bandstand in Burnley town centre on Saturday, handing out leaflets and warning shoppers of the environemental threats posed by shale gas exploration.

Last week the House of Lords’ economic affairs committee backed the government’s decision to ‘go all out for shale’ in the UK, insisting environmental concerns over water use, methane leaks and earth tremors were not serious and could be mitigated.

Fracking has already been carried out off the Fylde coast, but two onshore sites have since been pinpointed by extraction firm Cuadrilla, near Roseacre Wood and Little Plumpton, both between Blackpool and Preston.

The Forest of Bowland and a number of sites along the M65 corridor could also be targeted for fracking, as revealed by the Lancashire Telegraph last year.

Beena Hussain, 19, a Burnley College student who organised the protest, said: “We want people to be aware that fracking will ruin the environment and threaten our clean water supplies.

“The government say it’s going to be good for the economy, but we think it’s more about private companies making profits.”

Another protester, Danielle Kay, 36, from Barnoldswick, said: “I’m really concerned about the future for my children if fracking is allowed to go ahead. We should be moving towards sustainable energy instead.”

Comments (7)

LUDDITES !!!!
You can't stand in the way of progress and tracking WILL happen here whether all these green t*ssers want it or not.
We need the gas for energy generation, just as we need yellowcake for use in nuclear reactors and we WILL have more nuclear power as we need it to keep the lights on and industry running.
I also hope we get coal-powered power stations back on line as we have hundreds of years of reserves under the UK.
In the USA, tracking has reduced energy costs so much ( around 90% ) that many companies who closed manufacturing plants in the US and relocated to China or India have actually returned and created thousands of jobs. It WILL happen here, whatever the watermelons might want.
All these protesters are anti-business, anti-capitalist and anti-progress. They are disaffected left-wing tree-huggers and they have helped to hold back this country from efficient and cheap energy production - i.e.., left-wing lecturers at universities refused to co-operate with anyone involved in the nuclear industry and caused the closure of departments who taught nuclear physics with the result that we have had to employ the French to revitalise our nuclear industry.
The political left have ruined this country with their anti-industry, anti-business dogma. They mustn't be allowed to prevent tracking and I wish the gas-prospectors all the success in the world ! Don't let the green-meant watermelons stand in your way - the UK needs cheap and plentiful energy supplies.

LUDDITES !!!!
You can't stand in the way of progress and tracking WILL happen here whether all these green t*ssers want it or not.
We need the gas for energy generation, just as we need yellowcake for use in nuclear reactors and we WILL have more nuclear power as we need it to keep the lights on and industry running.
I also hope we get coal-powered power stations back on line as we have hundreds of years of reserves under the UK.
In the USA, tracking has reduced energy costs so much ( around 90% ) that many companies who closed manufacturing plants in the US and relocated to China or India have actually returned and created thousands of jobs. It WILL happen here, whatever the watermelons might want.
All these protesters are anti-business, anti-capitalist and anti-progress. They are disaffected left-wing tree-huggers and they have helped to hold back this country from efficient and cheap energy production - i.e.., left-wing lecturers at universities refused to co-operate with anyone involved in the nuclear industry and caused the closure of departments who taught nuclear physics with the result that we have had to employ the French to revitalise our nuclear industry.
The political left have ruined this country with their anti-industry, anti-business dogma. They mustn't be allowed to prevent tracking and I wish the gas-prospectors all the success in the world ! Don't let the green-meant watermelons stand in your way - the UK needs cheap and plentiful energy supplies.Copperhead

Copperhead wrote:
LUDDITES !!!!
You can't stand in the way of progress and tracking WILL happen here whether all these green t*ssers want it or not.
We need the gas for energy generation, just as we need yellowcake for use in nuclear reactors and we WILL have more nuclear power as we need it to keep the lights on and industry running.
I also hope we get coal-powered power stations back on line as we have hundreds of years of reserves under the UK.
In the USA, tracking has reduced energy costs so much ( around 90% ) that many companies who closed manufacturing plants in the US and relocated to China or India have actually returned and created thousands of jobs. It WILL happen here, whatever the watermelons might want.
All these protesters are anti-business, anti-capitalist and anti-progress. They are disaffected left-wing tree-huggers and they have helped to hold back this country from efficient and cheap energy production - i.e.., left-wing lecturers at universities refused to co-operate with anyone involved in the nuclear industry and caused the closure of departments who taught nuclear physics with the result that we have had to employ the French to revitalise our nuclear industry.
The political left have ruined this country with their anti-industry, anti-business dogma. They mustn't be allowed to prevent tracking and I wish the gas-prospectors all the success in the world ! Don't let the green-meant watermelons stand in your way - the UK needs cheap and plentiful energy supplies.

Well said Copperhead, you have it exactly right . Fracking is going to happen, bet your mortgage on it.

[quote][p][bold]Copperhead[/bold] wrote:
LUDDITES !!!!
You can't stand in the way of progress and tracking WILL happen here whether all these green t*ssers want it or not.
We need the gas for energy generation, just as we need yellowcake for use in nuclear reactors and we WILL have more nuclear power as we need it to keep the lights on and industry running.
I also hope we get coal-powered power stations back on line as we have hundreds of years of reserves under the UK.
In the USA, tracking has reduced energy costs so much ( around 90% ) that many companies who closed manufacturing plants in the US and relocated to China or India have actually returned and created thousands of jobs. It WILL happen here, whatever the watermelons might want.
All these protesters are anti-business, anti-capitalist and anti-progress. They are disaffected left-wing tree-huggers and they have helped to hold back this country from efficient and cheap energy production - i.e.., left-wing lecturers at universities refused to co-operate with anyone involved in the nuclear industry and caused the closure of departments who taught nuclear physics with the result that we have had to employ the French to revitalise our nuclear industry.
The political left have ruined this country with their anti-industry, anti-business dogma. They mustn't be allowed to prevent tracking and I wish the gas-prospectors all the success in the world ! Don't let the green-meant watermelons stand in your way - the UK needs cheap and plentiful energy supplies.[/p][/quote]Well said Copperhead, you have it exactly right . Fracking is going to happen, bet your mortgage on it.oldblue

I notice that Copperhead doesn't mention renewables which is strange for someone claiming to be concerned about our energy future.

We need more energy as demand rises. As recent events with Russia have shown, we need energy security which means using home based energy sources. This means fracking or renewables (biomass, hydro, solar, tidal and wind) or probably both., Nuclear energy does not give us any more energy security because there are no UK sources of uranium.

In the same way as no foreign country can stop us exploiting shale gas reserves if we want to, they can't stop the rain from falling, the sun from shining or the wind from blowing over the UK. Germany will get 50% of its every needs from renewables within a couple of years - smart cookies the Germans.

I notice that Copperhead doesn't mention renewables which is strange for someone claiming to be concerned about our energy future.
We need more energy as demand rises. As recent events with Russia have shown, we need energy security which means using home based energy sources. This means fracking or renewables (biomass, hydro, solar, tidal and wind) or probably both., Nuclear energy does not give us any more energy security because there are no UK sources of uranium.
In the same way as no foreign country can stop us exploiting shale gas reserves if we want to, they can't stop the rain from falling, the sun from shining or the wind from blowing over the UK. Germany will get 50% of its every needs from renewables within a couple of years - smart cookies the Germans.Excluded again

The Luddites were anti progress (in their case for some understandable reasons about putting food on their own tables). I think you'll find that the Luddites in this case are those bent on perpetuating our reliance on energy sources which even the government admits we need to wean ourselves off. We need progress here not propaganda for vested interests.

The Luddites were anti progress (in their case for some understandable reasons about putting food on their own tables). I think you'll find that the Luddites in this case are those bent on perpetuating our reliance on energy sources which even the government admits we need to wean ourselves off. We need progress here not propaganda for vested interests.Fracksceptic

We need more renewables, but we also need shale gas. That much is obvious.

The science says it can be done safely. You have to misquote the entire body of evidence to say otherwise.

FARMING SHOULD BE BANNED! Why? I've got one scientific paper that shows an increase in spills in Texas. You can't politicise the science like that, though environmentalists are trying their hardest.

We need more renewables, but we also need shale gas. That much is obvious.
The science says it can be done safely. You have to misquote the entire body of evidence to say otherwise.
FARMING SHOULD BE BANNED! Why? I've got one scientific paper that shows an increase in spills in Texas. You can't politicise the science like that, though environmentalists are trying their hardest.DeanLucas

it's a shame that people turn on the protestors because this is EXACTLY what the fracking companies & the government want - to manipulate peoples focus & isn't it working well!

I am very anti fracking at this stage. Why, because there is ZERO evidence to say its either safe or unsafe & that our water suppliues will be completely unaffected. At this stage, they can't. And before anyone comes back at me saying there is...make **** sure you can give a link to independant research...not something issued by the frackers or the government. I think you will all find that real evidence that tells us exactly what we need to know, is sadly lacking.

It may have fuelled the economy in america but what about the people that were affected by the contaminated water supplies? The fracking companies bought off these dying towns & tied everyone up in legalities that ultimately meant, should fracking not be quite what they trumped it up to be....they have no come back, they can't sue. They basically have had their silence bought with jobs & a boost for the economy.

I listened carefully to the news last week, waiting for any of the 'pro-fracking' groups to point me in the direction of evidence...documente
d evidence, not them spouting off in front of a camera, to say its safe & not one of them did. Lots of 'oh this group supports it & so does this group' but a distinct lack of evidence which is worrying given fracking caused to recent earthquakes in the Blackpool area.

The world is full of b*llshi**ers who can stand there & tell a wonderful tale, ask them to back it up & they suddenly become somewhat quiet.

And for anyone sceptical about media / government manipulation....Amaz
on & Costa coffee plus other huge companies who have failed to pay tax...what's happening, What is the government doing about it?? Its all very quiet. Suddenly, Gary Barlows tax issues are creating a media storm. What he missed paying is peanuts in comparison....the government aren't going after the big companies....why not, its all in the name of the boosted economy etc.

it's a shame that people turn on the protestors because this is EXACTLY what the fracking companies & the government want - to manipulate peoples focus & isn't it working well!
I am very anti fracking at this stage. Why, because there is ZERO evidence to say its either safe or unsafe & that our water suppliues will be completely unaffected. At this stage, they can't. And before anyone comes back at me saying there is...make **** sure you can give a link to independant research...not something issued by the frackers or the government. I think you will all find that real evidence that tells us exactly what we need to know, is sadly lacking.
It may have fuelled the economy in america but what about the people that were affected by the contaminated water supplies? The fracking companies bought off these dying towns & tied everyone up in legalities that ultimately meant, should fracking not be quite what they trumped it up to be....they have no come back, they can't sue. They basically have had their silence bought with jobs & a boost for the economy.
I listened carefully to the news last week, waiting for any of the 'pro-fracking' groups to point me in the direction of evidence...documente
d evidence, not them spouting off in front of a camera, to say its safe & not one of them did. Lots of 'oh this group supports it & so does this group' but a distinct lack of evidence which is worrying given fracking caused to recent earthquakes in the Blackpool area.
The world is full of b*llshi**ers who can stand there & tell a wonderful tale, ask them to back it up & they suddenly become somewhat quiet.
And for anyone sceptical about media / government manipulation....Amaz
on & Costa coffee plus other huge companies who have failed to pay tax...what's happening, What is the government doing about it?? Its all very quiet. Suddenly, Gary Barlows tax issues are creating a media storm. What he missed paying is peanuts in comparison....the government aren't going after the big companies....why not, its all in the name of the boosted economy etc.Fire Fly

I used to be anti all this, but to be honest the more I read the more obvious it is that it isn't doing what the environmentalists say.

Sure there are issues that need regulation, but I got so fed up with being told that it would destroy everything and then going and looking at the evidence myself and finding that actually it wouldn't. I am sick of being lied to by people who themselves have accepted the lies from other people.

I am out of this movement until it grows up and starts being truthful.

I used to be anti all this, but to be honest the more I read the more obvious it is that it isn't doing what the environmentalists say.
Sure there are issues that need regulation, but I got so fed up with being told that it would destroy everything and then going and looking at the evidence myself and finding that actually it wouldn't. I am sick of being lied to by people who themselves have accepted the lies from other people.
I am out of this movement until it grows up and starts being truthful.SammyHall